Ceiling board lifting and supporting apparatus



Jan. 23, .1968 A w. F. CRULL 3,365,080

- CEILING BOARD LIFTING AND SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 17, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR. WILLIAM F. CRULL ATTORNEY United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A panel lifting and supporting apparatus having a horizontally positioned platform mounted on a vertically positioned piston and cylinder and a control means for the operation of the piston and cylinder mounted on the patform.

Ceiling boards, such as plaster boards, plywood paneling and acoustic panels often are large in size, ranging up to four by eight feet, and are heavy and particularly difiicult to handle and hold in place while they are being nailed to the rafters or other supporting structure. While various attempts have been made in the past to devise lifting mechanisms for raising and holding these large boards in place while they are being nailed, these mechanisms have had certain inherent defects which rendered them impractical for many applications, or unsatisfactory for most operations. For example, in many buildings the floor and ceiling are not on exact parallel planes as a re sult of unevenness of the floor or ceiling; consequently, whenthe board were lifted to the ceiling, the previous machines failed to seat the panels firmly against the ceiling throughout their entire area, thus making it diflicult to properly position the panels and hold them in place while they were being nailed or otherwise secured to the rafters or other supporting structure. Further, since the carpenter installing the panel often works alone, the prior machines often required the lone operator to climb up and down, to and from the panel nailing position several times before the panel was fully secured in place, first placing the panel on the machine, then operating the machine to raise the panel, climbing a ladder or other support to initially nail the panel, returning to the floor to lower the machine, climbing back up the ladder to finish nailing the panel, and then returning to the floor to reload the machine for the next operation. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for lifting and holding a ceiling panel in place While it is being nailed or otherwise secured, which will adapt the panel to non-uniformity in the ceiling supporting structure and to unevenness between the floor and ceiling structure, and which can be operated from a ladder or similar support to raise a panel in place and to lower the apparatus to reloading position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a panel lifting, positioning and holding apparatus, which will automatically apply the required pressure to the panel after it has been moved into place against the ceiling structure and distribute the pressure uniformly throughout the panel while it is being held against the ceiling supporting structure, and which can be easily maneuvered into any desired position in securing one panel after another in place on the ceiling structure.

Still another object is to provide a relatively simple, easily operated panel lifting and holding apparatus which can be readily transported from one location to another and readily placed in operation, and which is so constructed and designed that it interferes little with the panel securing operation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the present ceiling board lifting and supporting apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the apparatus shown in the preceding figures, the section being taken On line 44 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged side elevational view and partial cross sectional view of the control mechanism, the section being taken on line 5--5 of FIGURE 3.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and to FIG- URE l in particular, numeral 10 designates a base, 12 a telescopic post, 14 a platform mounted on the upper end of the post, and 16 a compressor motor and pump unit for providing compressed air for operating the lift mechanism. The apparatus embodying the present invention may be of various widths and heights and these may be varied from one unit to another, depending upon the ultimate use of the apparatus.

The base 10 consists of four radially extending legs 18, 20, 22 and 24, each consisting of a fiat member 26 and a vertically positioned reinforcing rib 28 welded or otherwise secured to member 26. The member and the rib are welded at their inner ends to a cylindrical shaped member or hub 30 having a hollow interior, as will be more fully described hereinafter. Positioned at the outer end of each leg is a roller 32 rotatably connected to the leg by shaft 34, the roller and shaft being of the angularly positioned type of well-known construction. The base legs and hub form a rigid structure for holding telescopic post 12 firmly in a vertical position and can be easily rolled and rotated on a floor or other supporting surface.

The post 12 consists of a lower cylinder 40 and an upper cylinder 42 telescopically positioned with respect to lower cylinder 40 and being adapted to move downwardly over the external surface of lower cylinder 40 from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to a point where the lower edge of cylinder 42 is in contact with or in proximity to the upper edge of hub 30. The construction of post 12 is best shown in FIGURE 4, wherein it is seen that lower cylinder 40 consists of cylindrical side walls 44 and upper and lower disc-shaped ends 46 and 48, respectively. The cylinder contains a piston 50 consisting of a disc-shaped center plate 52 and a gasket 54 secured to the periphery of plate 52 and engaging the internal surface of Wall 44 at the periphery of the gasket, the gasket preferably having an annular groove 56 forming peripheral contact edges 58 and 60 for creating an effective seal with the internal surface of walls 44. The piston, together with a disc-shaped guide plate 62, is mounted on the lower end of a piston rod 64 and held thereon by a nut 66 threaded onto the lower end of the rod, and an annular shoulder 68 against which the upper surface of plate 52 seats when nut 66 is tightened on the lower end of the piston rod. The rod 64 extends upwardly through a hole 70 in the center of upper end 46 and is threadedly received in a hole 72 in the upper end 74 of upper cylinder 42. The upper end 74 is disc-shaped and is either formed integrally with or welded to side walls 76 of upper cylinder 42. It is seen from FIGURE 4 that the side Walls 76 fit rather snugly over the external surface of the side walls 44 of lower cylinder 40 and are adapted to move from a lowered position where the lower edge of walls 76 are adjacent hub 30 to a raised position such as that shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Mounted on the upper end of post 12 is platform 14,

d consisting of longitudinal side rails 80 and 82 and end rails 84 and 86, the side and end rails being formed as a single piece with the ends thereof joined integrally with one another to form a rectangularly shaped structure for giving spaced support to a panel being lifted into position. The rail structure is connected to post 42 by radially extending arms 88, 90, 92 and 94, welded at their Outer ends to the two longitudinal side rails and at their inner ends to a cup-shaped member 96 mounted on the upper end of section 42 of post 12. The four radial arms are flexible to permit the rail structure to flex or tilt downwardly and upwardly on opposite sides in order to adjust the position of the panel with respect to the supporting surface to which it is to be attached. The side and end rails and the supporting radial arms are preferably constructed of hollow tubing; however, other types of structural material, such as solid bars or angle iron, may be used, provided the railings will give sufficient strength to support the panel, and the radial arms are sufliciently flexible to permit the rail structure to adjust to the attitude of the structure to which the panel is to be attached. Other platform structures may be used in place of the rails and radiating arms, but flexibility of the structure to permit seating of the panel is important.

An air compressor 16, consisting of the compressor mechanism 100 and an electrical motor 102, is mounted on a shelf 104 and supported thereby on base 10, so that it can be moved along with the entire apparatus from one panel-installing position to another. The construction and operation of the compressor and motor are well known and will not be described in detail herein; however, the unit shown preferably contains an accumulator to provide an adequate source of pressure. The compressor is connected to the lower end of the cylinder 44 by a tube 106 extending from connection 168 to fixture 110 threadedly received in hole 112 in the lower end 48 of post section 46. Thus, the air from the compressor is supplied through connection 168, tube 106, and coupling 110 to the cylinder beneath piston 50. The motor of the compressor is controlled by a switch 129 mounted on hand control 122, and the operation of the compressor is controlled by hand control valve 124 mounted in control 122 and connected to connection 108 by tube 126. The switch which is mounted on control 122 is connected to the motor by a wire 128 mounted on or attached to flexible tube 126. It is seen that control 122 containing valve 124 and switch 120 is adapted to be placed within easy reach of the operator as the panel is being guided up into place on the ceiling or other supporting structure.

The control, when being operated by the operator, is held in the hand, and when not in use is placed on a bracket 130 attached to the frame members 84 and 86 by eyes 132 or other suitable attaching means. Bracket 130 consists of two vertical side members 134 and two cross members 136 and 138, the two cross members forming separate supports for control 122. Member 138 has a flange 140 which engages valve control trigger 142 when the control is mounted or hung on cross member 138 by hook 144, thus holding the trigger inwardly so that the control valve is held in open position as long as the control is supported by cross member 138.

In the operation of the present panel lifting and supporting apparatus, starting with platform 14 in its lowered position, i.e. with telescopic section 42 substantially fully enclosing section 40, a panel board is placed on the platform beneath the place where it is to be installed on a ceiling or other supporting surface. The operator then operates switch 120 to start the motor to create the compressed air. The air is delivered from the compressor through connection 168 and tube 1% to the chamber 40' beneath the piston and raises the piston in cylinder 40, thereby raising telescopic section 42, platform 14, and the panel thereon to a position beneath the place where it is to be connected to the supporting structure. The operator then places the panel in position against the surface to which the panel is to be secured, controlling the apparatus by the control 122, either by the operation of switch or air valve 124 or both. When the panel has been moved into place and secured by nails, screws or other securing means so that the lifting apparatus is no longer required, the switch is operated to turn off motor 102 and the air valve is opened by the use of trigger 142. This permits the air to escape from the lower end of cylinder 40 through tube 106, connection 108, tube 126 and the control valve 124, thus permitting section 42 and platform 14 to return to their lower position. In order to permit the lowering operation to be performed without the operator having to continually hold trigger 142, the control is placed on cross member 138 with trigger 142 resting against flange 140, thereby holding the trigger in position to open valve 124. The valve remains open until the control has been lifted from the cross member. When the operator again wishes to raise the lifting apparatus, the motor is started by switch 120, and air valve 124 is either held in the hand or placed on cross member 136 where valve 124 will remain closed.

While only one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A panel lifting and supporting apparatus, comprising a base having a cylindrical hub and four radially extending legs connected at their inner ends to said hub, rollers at the outer ends of said legs, a post vertically positioned on said base in said hub consisting of two telescopic sections, the lower section including a cylinder and a piston therein and the upper section being slidable vertically over said lower section, a platform mounted on said upper section and having two tubular side rails and two tubular end rails, a center cap mounted on said upper section, four radial arms connected at their inner ends to said cap and at their outer ends to said side rails, said arms being flexible to permit said platform to tilt with respect to said post, an air compressor having a motor, a conduit connecting said compressor to said cylinder beneath said piston, a control unit having a switch for said motor and an air bleed valve, a hose connecting said valve with said conduit for bleeding air from said cylinder to lower said platform, a trigger for operating said valve, and a bracket on said platform having two cross members, one of said cross members engaging said trigger when said unit is placed thereon to hold said valve in open position.

2. A panel lifting and supporting apparatus, comprising a base, rollers on said base, a post vertically positioned on said base consisting of two telescopic sections, the lower section including a cylinder and a piston therein and the upper section being slidable vertically with respect to said lower section, a platform mounted on said upper section and having a horizontally disposed sup ort, radial arms connected at their inner ends to said upper section and at their outer ends to the marginal portion of said support, said arms being flexible to permit said platform to tilt with respect to said post, an air compressor having a motor, a conduit connecting said compressor to said cylinder beneath said piston, a control unit having a switch for said motor and an air bleed valve, a means mounted on said platform for releasably supporting said control unit and including means for controlling the operation of said valve, and a hose connecting said valve with said conduit for bleeding air from said cylinder to lower said platform.

3. A panel lifting and supporting apparatus, comprising a base, rollers on said base, a post vertically positioned on said base consisting of two telescopic sections, one of said sections having a cylinder and piston for moving one of said sections longitudinally, a platform mounted on said upper section and having two tubular side rails and two tubular end rails, a center cap mounted on said upper section, four radial arms connected at their inner ends to said cap and at their outer ends to said rails, said arms being flexible to permit said platform to tilt with respect to said post, an air compressor having a motor, a conduit connecting said compressor to said cylinder beneath said piston, a control unit having a switch for said motor and an air bleed valve, a hose connecting said valve with said conduit for bleeding air from said cylinder to lower said platform, a trigger for operating said valve, and a bracket on said platform having two cross members, one of said cross members engaging said trigger when said unit is placed thereon to hold said valve in open position.

4. A panel lifting and supporting apparatus, comprising a base, rollers on said base, a post vertically positioned on said base consisting of two telescopic sections, one of said sections having a cylinder and piston for moving one of said sections longitudinally, a platform mounted on said upper section and having a horizontally disposed support, four radial arms connected at their inner ends to said upper section and at their outer ends to the marginal portion of said support, said arms being flexible to permit said platform to tilt with respect to said post, an air compressor having a motor, a conduit connecting said compressor to said cylinder beneath said piston, a control unit having a switch for said motor and an air bleed valve, a means mounted on said platform for releasably supporting said control unit and including means for controlling the operation of said valve, and a hose connecting said valve with said conduit for bleeding air from said cylinder to lower said platform.

5. A panel lifting and supporting apparatus, comprising a base, rollers on said base, a post vertically positioned on said base consisting of two telescopic sections, one of said sections having a cylinder and piston for moving one 3 of said sections longitudinally, a platform mounted on said upper section, an air compressor having a motor, a conduit connecting said compressor to said cylinder beneath said piston, a control unit having a switch for said motor and an air bleed valve, a hose connecting said valve with said conduit for bleeding air from said cylinder to lower said platform, a trigger for operating said valve, and a bracket on said platform having two cross members, one of said cross members engaging said trigger when said unit is placed thereon to hold said valve in open position.

6. A panel lifting and supporting apparatus, comprising a base, a post vertically positioned on said base consisting of two telescopic sections, one of said sections having a piston for moving one of said sections longitudinally, a platform mounted on said upper section, an air compressor having a motor, a conduit connecting said compressor to said one section beneath said piston, a control unit, an air bleed valve in said unit, a means mounted on said platform for releasably supporting said control unit and including means for controlling the operation of said valve, and a hose connecting said valve with said conduit for bleeding air from said one section to lower said platform.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,032,040 7/1912 Atwood 18717 X 2,420,910 5/1947 Richards 52 X 2,655,412 10/1953 Jones 214-1 X 2,964,293 12/1960 Foth 2l4-1 X 3,028,978 4/1962 Dickens 214-1 3,070,189 12/1962 Karnafeux et al. 1878.41 3,176,794 4/1965 Evans et al 182l48 X HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Examiner. 

